Kirkwood, Robert

Kirkwood, Robert a Presbyterian minister, born in Paisley, Scotland, May 25,1793, was educated in Glasgow College, and studied divinity with Rev. John Dick, D.D., at Theological Hall, Glasgow. He was licensed in 1828. In response to a pressing call for ministerial workers in New York, he went thither and connected himself with the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, under the Missionary Society of which he labored until 1830, when he became pastor at Cortlandville, N. Y. He officiated there and at Auburn and Sandbeach, N. Y., until 1839, and then served as a domestic missionary for seven years in Illinois. For the next eleven years he labored as agent for the Bible and Tract Societies. In 1857 he transferred his connection from the Reformed to the Presbyterian Church, and settled at Yonkers, N. Y., devoting the remainder of his life to literary labors. He died August 26,1866. In addition to numerous contributions to the Christian Intelligencer, New York Observer, and The Presbyterian, he published Lectures on the Millennium (New York, 1855) : — Universalism Explained (New York, 1856): — A Plea for the Bible (New York, 1860; a very popular work and extensively sold): -Illustrations of the Offices of Christ (New York, 1862; a practical treatise on divine influences); together with a selection of sermons. Mr. Kirkwood having enjoyed the superior advantages of instruction by the distinguished Dr. Dick, was thoroughly and systematically trained in the great evangelical doctrines. His preaching was characterized by a practical scriptural tone. "His only peculiarity of doctrine was his pre-millennial views, in which, however, as his work on this subject shows, he was moderate, cautious, and never went to the extreme of fixing the time and seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."-Wilson, Presb. Historical Almanac.